Valve stem height gauge

ABSTRACT

A valve stem height gauge adapted to seat on the engine head and to circumferentially surround a valve stem projecting through the head includes a hollow cylindrical sleeve element having an internally threaded reduced external diameter end portion, a hollow cylindrical jacket element having an externally threaded cylindrical member adapted to be threadably received within the reduced diameter portion and a shirt member circumferentially enclosing and depending from the upper end portion of the cylindrical member to define therewith an open bottom annular space for receiving the reduced diameter portion therein, and diametrically opposed, axially extending slots in the periphery of the upper end portion of the jacket element for aligning the end of the valve stem therewith. The elements of the gauge are adapted to be threadably movable in an axial plane to and away from each other thereby adjusting the overall length of the gauge. Indicia are provided on the elements to indicate the gauge length.

United States Patent [19'] Swift, deceased et al.

*[451 May 21,1974

[ VALVE STEM HEIGHT GAUGE [75] Inventors: Frank C. Swift, deceased, late of Uvalde, Tex.; Viola Swift, executrix,

Uvalde, Tex. [73] Assignee: Viola Swift, Uvalde, Tex. [22] Filed: Jan. 6, 1972 21 Appl. 190.; 215,799

[52] US. Cl 33/181 AT, 33/166, 33/185 R [51] Int. Cl. G0lb 5/02 [58] Field of Search..... 33/185 R, 180 AT, 181 AT, 33/166, 164 R, DlG. 18

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,886,895 5/l959 Primary Examiner-William D. Martin, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Clarence A. OBrien; Harvey B. Jacobson w \mwm/A Kushion 33/l85 R 57 ABSTRACT A valve stem height gauge adapted to seat on the engine head and to circumferentially surround a valve stem projecting through the head includes a hollow cylindrical sleeve element having an' internally threaded reduced external diameter end portion, a hollow cylindrical jacket element having an externally threaded cylindrical member adapted to be threadably received within the reduced diameter portion and a shirt member circumferentially enclosing and depending from the upper end portion of the cylindrical member to define therewith an open bottom annular space for receiving the reduced diameter portion therein,'and diametrically opposed, axially extending slots in the periphery of the upper end portion of the jacket element for aligning the end of the valve stem therewith. The elements of the gauge are adapted to be threadably movable in an axial plane to and away from each other thereby adjusting the overall length of the gauge. lndicia are provided on the elements to indicate the gauge length.

14 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEMY 2 1 191'- 62 Fig] tllnlullilliu VALVE STEM HEIGHT GAUGE The present invention relates to valve stem height gauges and, more particularly, to gauges adapted to be used by mechanics in determining the length of valve stem end which must be removed following valve and valve seat refacing.

1n a typical automobile engine, the intake and exhaust valve operating mechanisms depend, for proper operation, upon a predetermined relative positioning of components. Specifically, the physical interrelationship between the self-adjusting piston in the hydraulic lifter, the rocker arm and the valve stem is critical to predictable and reliable valve operation. When a valve and/or valve seat is reground, facing material is removed therefrom with the result that thereafter the valve seats deeper in the valve seat than prior to refacing. As a result the end of the valve stem projects an increased distance through and beyond the head. In turn, the rocker arm and the self-adjusting piston are displaced from their normal position. In order to restore the valve operating mechanism to its most efficient operating configuration, it is necessary to remove an amount of valve stem end essentially equal to its increased projection beyond the head. The determination ofjust how much to remove is a problem which has heretofore created some difficulty.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a valve stem gauge for determining the length of valve stem end which must be removed subsequent to valve refacing or reconditioning.

lt is another object of the present invention to provide a valve stem gauge which can provide accurate valve stem measurements while positioned on the side of the head through which the valve stem extends.

1t is still another object of the present invention to provide a valve stem gauge which is small, simple, durable and easy to use.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description and appended claims.

Briefly stated, in accordance with the'aforesaid objects', the present invention provides a valve stem height gauge adapted to circumferentially surround a valve stem when the valve is seated in its valve seat, which comprises a hollow base element, a second hollow element adapted to threadably engage the base element for movement toward and away from the base element, and means associated with the second element for aligning the end of the valve stem therewith.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the elements include calibrating indicia to permit precise and reproducible measurements.

The invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary elevational view of an engine head with the valve cover removed showing the valve stem height gauge of the present invention in place over the stem of a valve.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 22 in P10. 1. v FIG 3 is a side elevational view of the gauge of the present invention in fully closed position.

FlG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the elements of the valve stem gauge. Referring now to the drawings, the valve stem height gauge of the present invention is designated generally at 10. Gauge 10 consists of base element 12 adapted to threadably engage jacket element 14, whereby elements 12 and 14 are threadably movable toward and away from each other to vary the overall height of gauge 10.

Base element 12 consists of hollow cylindrical base 16 joined to hollow cylindrical sleeve 18. Since sleeve 18 has a smaller external diameter than base 16, a circumferential shoulder 20 is defined at their juncture. Threads 22 along the inner surface of sleeve 18 are preferably square right-hand threads.

Jacket element 14 includes an inner cylindrical member 24 having threads 26 along its outer surface. Threads 26 are preferably square to cooperatively engage threads. 22 of base element 12. Surrounding member 24 and depending from the circumferentially beveled upper end portion 28 thereof is circumferential skirt 30. Annular space 32, open at its bottom, is defined between the inner wall surface 34 of skirt 30 and threads 26. Diametrically opposed slots 36, which illustratively may be about 0.062 inches deep, are provided in upper end portion 28 and extend axially downward from the top thereof for aligning jacket element 14 with the end of a valve stem projecting therethrough. An aperture 38 in skirt 30 permits viewing of letter indicia 40, disposed on the outer surfaceof sleeve 18, when gauge 10 is assembled.

Jacket element 14 is assembled into base element 12 by inserting externally threaded member 24 into internally threaded sleeve 18 and rotating the elements to engagethe threads. When fully assembled, as can be seen in FIG. 3, sleeve 18 is received within annular space 32, and the lower peripheral margin 42 of skirt 30 abuts shoulder 20 with indicia 44 and 46 on base and jacket elements 12 and 14, respectively, aligned. Overall gauge height, when closed, is preferably and illustratively 1.700 inches. I

The pitch of cooperating threads 22 and 26 is such that one complete rotation of jacket element 14 will permit a predetermined axial or longitudinal movement of lower margin 42 with respect to shoulder 20, with a corresponding increase in overall gauge height. Preferably and illustratively the threads are pitched to provide a 0.100 extension of the overall gauge height for each full rotation of jacket element 14. Peripherally spaced apart scale markings 48 are provided around the lower portion of base 16 to indicate gauge height changes for fractions of a rotation. For example, where a complete rotation extends gauge height by 0.100 inches, the peripherally spaced apart markings may each designate gauge height changes of 0.005 inches. Letter indicia 40, preferably comprising the letters A-Z; are disposed in a spirally, counterclockwise ascending fashion on the outer surface of sleeve 18 such that the lowermost letter, A, for example, is visible in aperture 38 when the gauge is fully'closed. As jacket element 14 is rotated from the fully closed position, the next letter, e.g., B, becomes visible in aperture 38 to designate a predetermined axial extension of the gauge, illustratively, for example, 0.030 inches corresponding to a fractional rotation of six scale markings 48. The remaining indicia letters 40 appear sequentially in aperture 38 for every like rotation of a predetermined number of scale markings 48, e.g., six, representing a fur ther'axial extension, for example, of 0.030 inches.

Thus, by utilizing a combination of letter indicia 40 and scale markings 48, the overall height of gauge 10 can be designated, and therefore can be reproduced, if necessary, at a future time.

The use of the valve stem height gauge of the present invention in connection with the reconditioning or refacing of engine valves and valve seats will be apparent to one skilled in the art. Although the following description is limited to the use of gauge in connection with a single valve, it will be appreciated that in a reconditioning operation, the gauge will be utilized in the described manner on each valve which is reconditioned.

Initially, the valve cover is removed to expose the side of head 50 through which valve stem 52 extends. Keeper 54, spring retainer 56 and valve springs 58 are removed to allow access to valve stem 52. Gauge 10, in the fully closed position, is positioned over valve stem 52 and seated upon machined boss 60, as can be seen most clearly in FIGS. 1 and. 2. Jacket member 14 is rotated to'axially extend gauge 10 until the top of end 62 of valve stem 52 horizontally aligns with a point between the top and bottom of slot 36. Aperture 38 is then noted and a record made of the letter indicia 40 which appears, or most closely appears, therein.At the same time the position of index 46 relative to scale markings 48 may be noted to more precisely record the axially extended position of gauge 10. If desired, similar measurement and recordation of valve stem heights may be made for each valve to be reconditioned.

Cooperatively beveled valve 64 and valve seat 66 may then be ground and refinished in accordance with well known techniques. When valve 64 and valve stem 52 are repositioned in valve seat 66, it will be seen that end 62 extends a greater distance beyond boss 60 than I before the reconditioning operation. This is because the material removed from either or both valve 64 and valve seat 66 causes valve 64 to seat deeper in valve seat 66. To determine thelength of end 62 which must be removed in order to restore the valve operating mechanism to its most efficient configuration, gauge 10 is opened to the overall height corresponding to the pre-reconditioning height of stem 52. This may easily be accomplished by rotating jacket element 14 until the appropriate letter indicia 40 appears in aperture 38 and index 46 is positioned properlyin relation to scale markings 48 to reproduce the letter and scale markings recorded for that particular valve prior to reconditioning thereof. Next position gauge 10 over stem 52 and resting on boss 60, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, and scribe or otherwise make a mark upon stem 52 at a position aligned with a point between the top and bottom of slot 36-, and preferably between the top and center of slot 36. This mark designates the proper postreconditioning length of stem 52 and indicates how much of end 62 must be removed. In like manner, the

gauge may be used in conjunction with other reconditioned valves to determine the amount to be removed from their respective stem ends.

it will be appreciated that the valve stem height gauge may be used in generally similar manner to determine proper stem height for other than refacing operations, for example, installing new valves or valve seats.

While the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments thereof, it will be understood that numerous modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without actually departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows: 5 I. A valve stem height gauge for determining valve stem height following reconditioning of engine valves or valve seats, comprising a threaded, hollow base element including a lower end portion adapted to be supported on the engine head with the valve stem projecting through said base element; a second threaded, hollow element engaging said base element and adapted to be threadably mov able toward and away from said base element; and

at least one axially extending slot in the end of said second element remote from said first element for aligning the end of the valve stem therewith.

2. A gauge, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said gauge includes diametrically opposed, axially extending slots for aligning the end of the valve stem therewith.

3. A gauge, as claimed in claim 1, including calibrating indicia on said elements for designating the position of said first element relative to said second element.

4. A valve stem height gauge adapted to seat on the engine head and to circumferentially surround the valve stem comprising a hollow cylindrical sleeve element including a reduced external diameter end portion, said sleeve having threads on the inner surface thereof;

a hollow cylindrical jacket element comprising an externally threaded hollow cylindrical member adapted to be .threadably received within said reduced diameter portion, a skirt member circumferentially enclosing and depending from the upper end of said cylindrical member and defining therewith an open-bottom annular space for receiving said reduced diameter portion therein whereby relative rotation of said elements causes axial movement thereof toward and away from each other; and

slot means associated with the upper end portion of said jacket element for aligning the end of the valve stem therewith.

5. A gauge, as claimed in claim 4, wherein said slot means comprises diametrically opposed, axially extending slots in the periphery of said upper end portion.

threads are square and right-handed.

7. A gauge, as claimed in claim 4, wherein the axial dimension of said skirt is less than the axial dimension of said cylindrical member. 7

8. A gauge, as claimed in claim 7, wherein said sleeve element includes an external circumferential shoulder at the point of reduced diameter and the lower peripheral margin of said skirt abuts said shoulder when said gauge is fully closed.

9. A gauge, as claimed in claim 4, including indicia on said reduced diameter portion and an aperture in said skirt member, whereby said indicia appear in said aperture to indicate the overall height of said gauge.

10. A gauge, as claimed in claim 9, wherein said indicia comprise a plurality of differing markings disposed in an ascending spiraling pattern, whereby upon relative rotation of said elements said markings appear sequentially in said aperture.

6. A gauge, as claimed in claim 4, wherein said 13. A valve stem height gauge adapted to seat on the engine head and to circumferentially surround the valve stem comprising a hollow cylindrical sleeve element comprising a cylindrical base portion axially joined to a' cylindrical reduced external diameter end portion and defining a. circumferential shoulder at the juncture of said portions, said reduced diameter portion including threads on the inner surface thereof and a plurality of markings on the outer surface thereof spiraling upward from said shoulder, and peripherally spaced apart calibrations on said base portion;

a hollow cylindrical jacket element comprising an externally threaded hollow cylindrical member adapted to be threadably received within said reduced diameter portion, a skirt member circumferentially enclosing and depending from the upper portion of said cylindrical member such that the.

lower peripheral margin of said skirt abuts said shoulder when said gauge is fully closed, said skirt defining with said cylindrical member an openbottom annular space for receiving said reduced diameter portion therein, said skirt including an aperture therein for viewing said markings and an index thereon cooperating with said calibrations, whereby adjustments in the overall height of said gauge caused by relative rotation of said'elements may be indicated by means of said markings and said calibrations; and

diametrically opposed, axially extending slots in the periphery of the upper end portion of said jacket element for aligning the end of the valve stem therewith.

14. A gauge, as claimed in claim 1, including calibrating indicia on said elements for designating the position of said first element relative to said second element. 

1. A valve stem height gauge for determining valve stem height following recOnditioning of engine valves or valve seats, comprising a threaded, hollow base element including a lower end portion adapted to be supported on the engine head with the valve stem projecting through said base element; a second threaded, hollow element engaging said base element and adapted to be threadably movable toward and away from said base element; and at least one axially extending slot in the end of said second element remote from said first element for aligning the end of the valve stem therewith.
 2. A gauge, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said gauge includes diametrically opposed, axially extending slots for aligning the end of the valve stem therewith.
 3. A gauge, as claimed in claim 1, including calibrating indicia on said elements for designating the position of said first element relative to said second element.
 4. A valve stem height gauge adapted to seat on the engine head and to circumferentially surround the valve stem comprising a hollow cylindrical sleeve element including a reduced external diameter end portion, said sleeve having threads on the inner surface thereof; a hollow cylindrical jacket element comprising an externally threaded hollow cylindrical member adapted to be threadably received within said reduced diameter portion, a skirt member circumferentially enclosing and depending from the upper end of said cylindrical member and defining therewith an open-bottom annular space for receiving said reduced diameter portion therein whereby relative rotation of said elements causes axial movement thereof toward and away from each other; and slot means associated with the upper end portion of said jacket element for aligning the end of the valve stem therewith.
 5. A gauge, as claimed in claim 4, wherein said slot means comprises diametrically opposed, axially extending slots in the periphery of said upper end portion.
 6. A gauge, as claimed in claim 4, wherein said threads are square and right-handed.
 7. A gauge, as claimed in claim 4, wherein the axial dimension of said skirt is less than the axial dimension of said cylindrical member.
 8. A gauge, as claimed in claim 7, wherein said sleeve element includes an external circumferential shoulder at the point of reduced diameter and the lower peripheral margin of said skirt abuts said shoulder when said gauge is fully closed.
 9. A gauge, as claimed in claim 4, including indicia on said reduced diameter portion and an aperture in said skirt member, whereby said indicia appear in said aperture to indicate the overall height of said gauge.
 10. A gauge, as claimed in claim 9, wherein said indicia comprise a plurality of differing markings disposed in an ascending spiraling pattern, whereby upon relative rotation of said elements said markings appear sequentially in said aperture.
 11. A gauge, as claimed in claim 10, wherein said markings comprise alphabetical letters.
 12. A gauge, as claimed in claim 9, including calibrations around the periphery of said sleeve element and an index on said jacket element cooperating with said calibrations, whereby relative rotation of said elements may be indicated by movement of said index along said calibrations.
 13. A valve stem height gauge adapted to seat on the engine head and to circumferentially surround the valve stem comprising a hollow cylindrical sleeve element comprising a cylindrical base portion axially joined to a cylindrical reduced external diameter end portion and defining a circumferential shoulder at the juncture of said portions, said reduced diameter portion including threads on the inner surface thereof and a plurality of markings on the outer surface thereof spiraling upward from said shoulder, and peripherally spaced apart calibrations on said base portion; a hollow cylindrical jacket element comprising an externally threaded hollow cylindrical member adapted to be threadably received within said reduced diameter portion, a skirt member circumferentially enclosing and Depending from the upper portion of said cylindrical member such that the lower peripheral margin of said skirt abuts said shoulder when said gauge is fully closed, said skirt defining with said cylindrical member an open-bottom annular space for receiving said reduced diameter portion therein, said skirt including an aperture therein for viewing said markings and an index thereon cooperating with said calibrations, whereby adjustments in the overall height of said gauge caused by relative rotation of said elements may be indicated by means of said markings and said calibrations; and diametrically opposed, axially extending slots in the periphery of the upper end portion of said jacket element for aligning the end of the valve stem therewith.
 14. A gauge, as claimed in claim 1, including calibrating indicia on said elements for designating the position of said first element relative to said second element. 